The appointment of Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was announced by the Centre on Wednesday.

The retired Lieutenant General will also serve as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

“The Government of India appoints Lt General Anil Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs,” said a statement from the defence ministry.

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Who is Lt General Anil Chauhan?

Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM is India’s new Chief of Defence Staff. He was a General Officer in the Indian Army.  He was born on May 18, 1961. He is 61 years old. 

 He previously served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command. He took office on September 1, 2019, following the promotion of Lt. General Manoj Mukund Naravane to Vice Chief of Army Staff.

Lt Gen Anil Chauhan has held several command, staff, and instrumental appointments in his nearly 40-year career and has had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, according to the statement.

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He previously served as the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO). He served as the Indian Army’s Commander, III Corps, succeeding Lt. General Abhay Krishna.

In 1981, Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles. Throughout his career, he has held several command, staff, and instructional positions, as well as experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India. In addition, he has served on a United Nations mission to Angola.

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For his service, he has received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2018), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal. He was appointed in July 2019 to succeed Manoj Mukund Naravane as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, when the latter becomes Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on August 31, 2019. Chauhan retired on May 31, 2021.